What to watch for Wednesday in politics

Phil Pruitt

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The Ticket•February 22, 2012

The main event in politics Wednesday is the 8 p.m. EST GOP debate in Mesa, Ariz. It will be a crucial debate for all four White House hopefuls — Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul -- because it's the last one before the Arizona and Michigan primaries next Tuesday and the last one before the 10 contests on March 6, Super Tuesday. But it is especially crucial for Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum who are in a showdown for who can claim the frontrunner mantle.

In addition to the debate, the GOP candidates also will work in some campaigning in Arizona. Romney has a stop planned in Chandler at 9:30 a.m. MST, Paul has two fundraisers in Mesa at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. MST, Santorum has a rally in Tucson at 11:30 a.m. MST, and Gingrich will swing by a debate watching party at 8:30 p.m. MST.

President Obama will give the GOP candidates something to talk about Wednesday with a proposal to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 28 percent. It's a plan that is certain to face tough opposition from congressional Republicans who are pushing for a lower rate, but it's also certain to be a political marker that is much debated on the campaign trail. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will provide the details at 11:30 a.m. EST.

And then there is this: It has been one year since former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was elected mayor of Chicago.